• VIDEO: Top 10 reasons why I am taking part in the 2010 Census
  

  The book "unflinchingly looks into DeGeneres’ personal life as an openly gay entertainer who is legally married to actress Portia de Rossi."

  A couple of weeks ago, our census form arrived. As promised.

  I wasn’t really surprised since the census sent us a postcard telling us to expect it.

  My husband and I planned to respond, but then figured we should probably take down our Christmas decorations first. Not to mention cleaning up after our New Year’s Party (I’m just kidding, we didn’t have a New Year’s Party and everyone knows that habitual procrastinators don’t need real excuses anyway.)

  April 1 is National Census Day, and Our Families Count is encouraging LGBT participation and inclusion in the 2010 Census.

• Veterans stories underscore need for open military service
  From Frontlines, the SLDN blog…

  Earlier this week I traveled to the University of Nebraska to participate in a panel discussion on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

  
  

  There were five veterans who told their personal stories serving under this law and how it personally affected them. I told my story of serving as an officer in the Air Force for 13 years, with four deployments to the Middle East, and how I was subsequently discharged after my private e-mails were searched in Iraq.

  Perhaps the strongest testimony came from a straight veteran who spoke about his first encounter with a gay service member in his unit. He grew up in a small Nebraska town and had never encountered someone who was gay.

• Poll: Americans cool with gays in positions of power

  Americans seem to be more comfortable seeing gay people in positions of power, according to a new poll.

  With President Obama pushing for a repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy prohibiting openly gay soldiers serving their country, Vanity Fair and “60 Minutes” on CBS polled Americans about the topic.

  The question was: “Would you support or oppose having an openly gay person serve in any of the following roles?”

  Fifty percent said they would support a gay president, while 44 percent wouldn’t.

  Americans seem to be more comfortable seeing gay people in positions of power, according to a new poll.

• Chaz Bono asks court to change name, gender

  Chaz Bono has formally applied to change his name and gender.

  Bono was born female and named Chastity by her parents, Cher and Sonny Bono.

  Bono lived as a lesbian for 20 years before beginning to transition last March. Court documents show that Bono’s doctor has completed the surgery process and that the transition to male has been completed.

  Bono requested his name be changed to Chaz Salvatore Bono.

• Adam Lambert to entertain at GLAAD Media Awards

  LOS ANGELES – Adam Lambert has been booked to perform at the 21st annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 17.

  The San Diegan, who was runner-up in last year’s “American Idol” competition, will be part of a star-studded lineup that will include honors to comedian Wanda Sykes and actress Drew Barrymore.

  Other guests and presenters will include Eric Dane (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Benjamin Bratt (“La Mission”), the “Glee” cast, director Tom Ford (“A Single Man”) and Jason Lewis (“Brothers & Sisters”).

• Ellen DeGeneres comic book debuts today

  LOS ANGELES – The Ellen DeGeneres freight train keeps rolling on. The popular daytime talk show host, “American Idol” judge and comedienne will be featured in a new comic book debuting today.

  “Female Force: Ellen DeGeneres,” part of Bluewater Productions’ “Female Force” biographic comic book series, will trace her life from her formative years in Louisiana through today’s mega success.

• Prom story takes another twist

  ABERDEEN, Miss. – The private prom promised to students at Itawamba Agricultural High School has been canceled, and another one apparently has been hastily arranged for Friday. So it appears that lesbian student Constance McMillen and her girlfriend will be sharing a dance after all.

  The private prom promised to students at Itawamba Agricultural High School has been canceled, and another one apparently has been hastily arranged for Friday. So it appears that lesbian student Constance McMillen and her girlfriend will be sharing a dance after all.

Tags: census, DADT. Chaz Bono, Ellen DeGeneres, politics, prom